[Neanderthal]

As opposed to watching the "news." Yup.

OK, back to the topic please.

 

[Greg Burr]

I get that. I'm not a big "news" fan, and the only traffic we have in rural areas is Uncle Joe and his slow AF tractor hogging the lane. LOL I can see how it might help people though.

I am not much for the news and programming, but weather and traffic are useful, both on commutes and on long drives across state lines

 

[6cylinder]

I don't know how healthy the overall AM radio industry is, but it's not like stations are going away. There's probably thousands of them across the country. No matter your opinion of talk shows, a lot of people do still listen. They're not all syndicated political shows either, there's lots of local talk shows (a friend of mine hosts one in PA). Plus, many AM stations are local news stations, which some people do care about. Why take away a listening option?

It seems like a stupid idea to delete AM, unless AM radio itself goes away. Which isn't happening. It seems like it would cost as much to retool radio manufacturing to delete the AM band as the cost savings that would be achieved from it, at least in the near-term.

When I was a kid even into college, I loved WLS-Chicago, WLAS out of Nashville. I recall listening to a New Year's bowl game on WNOE-New Orleans while driving through the Shenandoah Mountains of Virginia. That is the benefit of AM, the ability to receive programming broadcast from stations 1000 miles away. This is not to diminish receiving Cardinals games on KMOX. I love the Cardinals. However, you can count the number of people on your thumbs who need emergency information from 1000 miles away. If you are relying on radio for emergency information, then my favorite FM station is 100 miles away. If there is a local emergency, then my favorite FM station will be safely out of harm's way. There are numerous other FM stations that are safely out of harm's way.

Free is good. Receiver only communication is good when you're doing something else - driving. AM does presents a greater span of choice. Media conglomerates have hurt FM music, though I haven't had FM HD.

 

[CaptainDan]

I am not much for the news and programming, but weather and traffic are useful, both on commutes and on long drives across state lines

Radio (of any band) is dreadful for that usage. Any radio station is covering a very broad metro area. Not the specific route I may be using. Plus whatever other programming they may have going.

 

[kmacleod]

I disagree. Perhaps you don't live in a major city like I do? The radio traffic reports are EXTREMELY useful here in Chicago. They cover all the major highways and thoroughfares in about 60 secs, and update every 10 minutes or so. 90% of the commuting public in our Metro area uses the roads mentioned in these reports at some point during their commute.

WBBM-AM is indispensable when navigating greater Chicago Land. Saved my rear end many times.......

 

[MisterMe]

WBBM-AM is indispensable when navigating greater Chicago Land. Saved my rear end many times.......

Useful? Yes. Indispensable? Hardly. It is not 2003 anymore. Waze includes most traffic interruptions on its maps. Apple Maps followed suit. Pull them up on CarPlay or Android Auto. Enjoy traffic up to the minute warnings in your entire area without sacrificing entertainment and information that you want to hear.

 

[CaptainDan]

I disagree. Perhaps you don't live in a major city like I do? The radio traffic reports are EXTREMELY useful here in Chicago. They cover all the major highways and thoroughfares in about 60 secs, and update every 10 minutes or so. 90% of the commuting public in our Metro area uses the roads mentioned in these reports at some point during their commute.

Ten minutes is a pretty slow "refresh". And if they're covering all the major roads in 60 seconds they can't possibly be giving much information. A simple app like Waze gives you very detailed, real-time information on the exact road you're on and the exact path to take to avoid whatever issue.

 

[mgescuro]

I disagree. Perhaps you don't live in a major city like I do? The radio traffic reports are EXTREMELY useful here in Chicago. They cover all the major highways and thoroughfares in about 60 secs, and update every 10 minutes or so. 90% of the commuting public in our Metro area uses the roads mentioned in these reports at some point during their commute.

When I used to commute, I relied on KCBS in the SF Bay Area for traffic. "Traffic and weather every 10 minutes."
I mean, that's great.
But with Waze, AppleMaps, GoogleMaps, and a whole host of other traffic monitoring/alert apps, not to mention cars that have it integrated into their infotainment systems, tuning into a local station has become unnecessary.

I can see where the accident/issue is on the map and can plan around it or allow the app to reroute me automatically.

There's still a lot of use for AM for emergency purposes and other things, but it's will complement the other sources we have today.

 

[chinamonty]

C'mon man, get with the program!! AM is antiquated and unnecessary, Don't confuse the conversation with facts, as facts no longer matter.

It is necessary when the internet goes down and FM signals don't go the distance. if the internet is down we lose our phones at work as they are voip.The other thing that is essential, but not in cars, is ham radio. We rely too much on the internet.

 

[nota2]

It is necessary when the internet goes down and FM signals don't go the distance. if the internet is down we lose our phones at work as they are voip.The other thing that is essential, but not in cars, is ham radio. We rely too much on the internet.

Yes hereabouts the official go-to for ‘public emergency’ notifications (bushfire, flood, WW3 etc) is AM radio broadcasts via government-owned ABC Radio, with these signs often seen advising of the local radio frequencies.

The top rating radio stations in many major cities are still AM and for many rural areas it’s the only radio station available - indispensable for locals and travellers alike.

 

[mgescuro]

I think you all are missing the point... Yes, I use Apple Maps, Google Maps etc, just like everyone else. I often am listening to my local AM news station for live interpretive traffic reports, at the same time Apple maps is on carplay. Why not give people the choice to have both?

That's why I said it will complement the other sources.
I simply don't listen to radio — AM or FM — today.

We're comparing apples to oranges. I don't listen to google maps voice prompts for the entertainment value, do you?

Sure, tuning into AM isn't necessary, but why does that matter? Almost every feature on an automobile, including the automobile itself isn't really necessary. In many major media markets, programming on AM stations, particularly News stations, is still at or near the top of the ratings even though there are plenty of alternatives.

Should automakers eliminate white or black paint colors? With so many other vibrant choices, are the traditional standbys of white or black really necessary anymore?

If you ask me, carmakers should just provide a screen and the ability to integrate your mobile device. There's no real need to provide any other services in the car. But they do because car companies want to sell more services to you to get the residual and/or recurring income.

It's de-contenting to increase profitability, nothing more and nothing less. People on these forums use to complain about bean-counters, now they religiously defend their draconian moves as "progress".

Not really. For EV's, there's more EM interference, which results in poor AM reception. So you either engineer around It or suffer with poor reception. Not to mention the additional engineering to have an AM antenna, additional shielding, and re-engineering of components to have a decent AM signal. Can it be done? Sure.

AM is really best for emergencies. But for demographics, even FM is on its last legs.

 

[09W]

...re-engineering of components to have a decent AM signal. Can it be done? Sure.

What do you mean "can"? It already has been done; this thread is about some that are advocating no longer doing it.

 

[mgescuro]

What do you mean "can"? It already has been done; this thread is about some that are advocating no longer doing it.

No one has expended the energy to do it except Hyundai.
Of course it CAN be done.

The question really should be SHOULD it be done. I don't think it's necessary.

 

[tripowergto Jan2003]

The question really should be SHOULD it be done. I don't think it's necessary.

Some might say it's unnecessary. Yet some folks don't own a cellphone, nor want to or can't afford to. While I recognize that's only about 3% of Americans, do we just ignore them in an emergency? Get with the program or die?

 

[davester]

Some might say it's unnecessary. Yet some folks don't own a cellphone, nor want to or can't afford to. While I recognize that's only about 3% of Americans, do we just ignore them in an emergency? Get with the program or die?

Well, there are all kinds of ways for those people to have access to AM radio, if they happen to buy a new car that doesn't support receiving it. There are a wide variety of portable units, and if it ever becomes a "thing", I'm sure someone will make a car plugin unit that will receive am and rebroadcast it as FM or through an aux-in port in their car.ll

This reminds me of the "discussion" about forcing Apple and other cell phone manufacturers to add support for FM radio, because they happened to use a chip in the phone that could process it, to support local FM...

 

[09W]

No one has expended the energy to do it except Hyundai.

Chevy Bolt has the AM band; comments I've read say it works quite well.

 

[MisterMe]

Well, there are all kinds of ways for those people to have access to AM radio, if they happen to buy a new car that doesn't support receiving it. There are a wide variety of portable units, and if it ever becomes a "thing", I'm sure someone will make a car plugin unit that will receive am and rebroadcast it as FM or through an aux-in port in their car.ll

This reminds me of the "discussion" about forcing Apple and other cell phone manufacturers to add support for FM radio, because they happened to use a chip in the phone that could process it, to support local FM...

Someday someone will make a plug-in that allows you to receive AM? You think? Open the app store on your phone. You will see that you can download radio receiver apps now. My car ships with SiriusXM. However, the MyChevrolet infotainment system also includes a SiriusXM app as does my phone. My phone's app store features apps designed to tune in terrestrial radio stations from all over the country. The takeaway message is that having a device in your car called a radio is redundant.

I almost forgot. Does anyone know what programming on terrestrial radio is transitioning to? Terrestrial radio is transitioning to podcast broadcasts, that's what.

 

[davester]

Someday someone will make a plug-in that allows you to receive AM? You think? Open the app store on your phone. You will see that you can download radio receiver apps now. My car ships with SiriusXM. However, the MyChevrolet infotainment system also includes a SiriusXM app as does my phone. My phone's app store features apps designed to tune in terrestrial radio stations from all over the country. The takeaway message is that having a device in your car called a radio is redundant.

I almost forgot. Does anyone know what programming on terrestrial radio is transitioning to? Terrestrial radio is transitioning to podcast broadcasts, that's what.

Sure, that's what most people are doing now, but this thread is for the luddites who buy a new vehicle that comes without AM, and are living in in a high-danger zone, but in the middle of nowhere, where they must receive emergency broadcasts via AM because only AM will reach them.

 

[6cylinder]

Auto radio reception is really good. That would be a loss to give it up. Some of us have relatively analog lives, 100% by choice. I know where I'm going pretty much all the time; don't care much for emergency alerts. I'm not at all likely to move toward using mobile data regularly.

 

[mgescuro]

Some might say it's unnecessary. Yet some folks don't own a cellphone, nor want to or can't afford to. While I recognize that's only about 3% of Americans, do we just ignore them in an emergency? Get with the program or die?

Short answer is... Yes. Get with the program.

Look, I understand there's a digital divide out there. There's an income gap as well.
And I'm willing to bet that the majority of those who don't have a cell phone are in an age demographic that didn't have that technology.
It's not just luddites, though, I'm sure there are those out there as well.

Furthermore, in the advent of a real emergency, you should probably have a transistor radio or similar at home anyways. You don't need to have AM radio in a car.